Atlanta Music Guide

500 Songs for Kids Return with Greatest Era-Defining Songs of All Time; Looking for Bands to Perform

There isn't a better event in Atlanta to enjoy some unique performances of favorite songs by exciting local artists to raise money for an incredible cause than 500 Songs for Kids. The event is coming back to Smith's Olde Bar on April 29 for a fantastic week of bands and singers performing ... The 500 Greatest Era-Defining Songs of All Time. And they're already looking for bands to perform - so all you musicians, click here to sign up. We can't wait!

Q&A: John Douglas of Ten Story Relapse; CD Release Party @ The 183 Room at Legends, February 13

Stylistically diverse Atlanta rockers Ten Story Relapse have chosen a unique way to celebrate the release of their fifth CD, the intriguingly-titled Buddha & The .38. They’ve decided to combine that achievement — which also happens to coincide with the band's 10th anniversary — with a one-night-only art exhibit hand-picked by Atlanta legend Fay Gold and a benefit for The C5 Youth Foundation of Georgia. TSR’s dynamic vocalist John Douglas sat down with Atlanta Music Guide to discuss the band’s interest in the C5 organization, the new CD, and the secret of playing with the same musicians for 10 years.

How did you become involved with The C5 Youth Foundation of Georgia?

I found out about them about a year and a half ago through a mutual friend and I was just so impressed with the work they do, I wanted to help out in some way. I’d worked with some charitable organizations before, but I’d never seen the dedication these guys have.

What does C5 do, essentially? 

They have a five year program that gives kids opportunities and tools to overcome challenges and obstacles that would otherwise be difficult to overcome. About 300 kids are nominated every year and only 70 get accepted, but they have a 95-percent college acceptance rate, which is pretty amazing.      

So, what can people expect musically from Buddha & The .38?

Hard Rock Cafe's Velvet Underground and 99X Holds Haiti Benefit Gig with Heather Luttrell, Eris and More

The first indie showcase known as Downtown Sounds will be held this Saturday, January 30 at Hard Rock Cafe's Velvet Underground. 99X have reamed up with NU Entertainment and MaxMouth.com for the event, and this first concert will also donate 100 percent of the new proceeds to the CARE charity.

The event will feature performances from Heather Luttrell (pictured, in all her tattooed glory), Brian Collins Band, Eris and The Asherel Band. Get your tickets now at Ticket Alternative.

Smith's Olde Bar to Host Haiti Benefit on February 1 with Van Heiniken, Nelson Nolen Experiment and More!

Smith's Olde Bar has quickly put together a great gig to benefit the people of Haiti affected by the earthquake last week. Called WE CARE 2010, the event will feature performances by Van Heiniken, Nelson Nolen Experiment, HIP TO DEATH, son.aria, The Dead Rites and others.

From the venue:

Experts are estimating over 50,000+ people are dead because of the 7.0 earthquake that hit Haiti on January 12th, 2010. They fear that the death toll may reach 100,000 or more. This is a time for us to get together, and share the wealth. You may not be rich, but we guarantee that you have more than these people. Smith's Olde Bar is working together with Red Cross, which has already raised over $200 million dollars, to generate some money for these Haitians. It's a scary time for them, let's not let them think that they are alone. We've lined up some pretty cool bands to entertain you while you're doing a great deed. If you can't make it out, we understand, but please make a donation to Red Cross to help in whatever way you can. Thank you in advance for your generosity.

Tickets are available now at Ticket Alternative.

Q&A with Nick Nespajeen of Yacht Rock -- Playing a Holiday Special at Variety Playhouse, December 18

By Leila Regan-Porter, Chris Blais

It's the time of year for holiday specials, and the local music scene is getting in the spirit too. That includes Atlanta's famous (infamous?) Yacht Rock, of the PleaseRock group. We chat to "Nick Nespajeen," the leader of the band (bottom center in the holiday-style pic above, holding a sea shell in the band's usual nautical style), AKA "The Dude from Yacht Rock" as he is also known.

How did the holiday special come together?

Are we talking Beatles "Come Together" or Aerosmith "Come Together"? 

I would say it's been more of a congealing process: girls love Yacht Rock, guys love girls and pretend to love Yacht Rock, we started a band celebrating the phenomenon and now we're the Greatest Yacht Rock Band in the Universe. (See, it says so on our Infomercial.) 

And it follows that the Greatest Yacht Rock Band in the Universe would want to do something special for the holiday season. 

Just kidding - OF COURSE guys love Yacht Rock.

What can fans expect from the night?

Imagine Michael McDonald riding in a one-horse open sleigh to grandma's house singing carols when all of the sudden he notices Clark W. Grizwold stapling 40,000 Christmas lights to his roof. Naturally Michael calls up Kenny Loggins on the spot and the three of them write the happiest holiday song ever.  It will be kinda like that. 

We were inspired by the great Christmas Specials of the '70s, especially the Star Wars Christmas Special. We wanted to add elements of a variety show - singing, dancing, acting, prancing, joking - to the usual Yacht Rock shenanigans. And we bought a yachtload of Christmas lights last weekend for good measure.   

Can you give any hints to any surprises that there might be on the night?

News Update

By Kevin C. Madigan

Mute Records has just announced that Goldfrapp's fifth album, Head First, will be released on March 23, 2010, preceded by the single 'Rocket' on March 9. The label is calling it "Goldfrapp's most powerful trip to date, a speedy rush of synth optimism, euphoria, fantasy and romance." We'll see about that when the time comes....Chapel Hill band Spider Bags comes to The Star Bar on December 9. The current album is called Goodbye Cruel World, Hello Crueler World (Birdman Records) and it just makes you want to cry in your beer....The Whigs, from Athens, offer two new songs - "In The Dark" and "Hundred/Million" - for free download, and on December 4 they will play at Variety Playhouse, a set that will no doubt include these and other tunes from their new album, also called In The Dark....Also coming through town will be Nitzer Ebb, touring with a project they are calling Industrial Complex and presenting a new look, new live show and a new line-up. The gig is at The Masquerade on December 10....No tour dates set for this guy, but good news anyhow: Ryko has announced the U.S. release of Seasick Steve’s Man From Another Time on March 16.  Seasick Steve has a platinum-selling album in the UK (I Started Out With Nothin’ And I Still Got Most Of It Left) as well as being a Brit Award nominee and the winner of Mojo’s Best Breakthrough Act award....Boston punkers Street Dogs are setting off on their Wreck the Halls tour in an effort to entice you into the holiday spirit. On behalf of Toys For Tots, the lads will accept new, unwrapped toys for children in need. Do your bit. It all happens at The Masquerade on December 12....Check out the new music video for the song "Sugar Pill" from The Bravery. The new album Stir The Blood just came out....The ninth annual Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival will take place on June 10 - 13, 2010, and will again be held at the same 700-acre farm in Manchester, Tenn., south of Nashville. Ticket pre-sales are now going on and will last until 11:59 p.m. eastern time on December 31....

Hard Rock Cafe Raising Money for Imagine There's No Hunger with John Lennon-Inspired Braclets

The folks at Hard Rock Cafe, with the blessing of Yoko Ono, have created a great charity bracelet to give to those who donate to the Imagine There's No Hunger campaign. Here's the info from the company:

As part of IMAGINE THERE'S NO HUNGER, when you add a donation of $1/£1/€1 or more onto your bill at Hard Rock Cafes, you'll receive a very special charity bracelet. Additionally, the sale of Hard Rock's exclusive Imagine Pin directly benefits WHY charities across our very small world.

Hard Rock is proud to support World Hunger Year (WHY) and its many Global initiatives to help children and the fight against hunger and poverty. WHY's founding in 1975 sought to shine a light on innovative, community-based, grassroots solutions to hunger and poverty. Eight “on the ground” partner organizations will benefit from funds raised through IMAGINE THERE'S NO HUNGER. To find out more about the specific organizations, from Kenya to Nicaragua, please click here. Join us in recognizing the spirit of these organizations and help in finding solutions for feeding those in our own backyards, as well as those around the world.

So the next time you go to a show at the Hard Rock Cafe's Velvet Underground, or just to the restaurant itself, add a dollar (or five!) to your tab to give to a great charity.

Tina Tiquet Presents AMG's DRINKSHOP Live for December with Little Tybee and Last Chance Runaround!

We're bringing together music, charity and fancy drinks in a swanky atmosphere for our holiday DRINKSHOP Live. The December 10 event will feature Atlanta up-and-comers Little Tybee (pictured above) and Last Chance Runaround. If you want more information - like how you can win prizes by being charitable - then you've got to our mascot Tina Tiquet's event page, become a fan and RSVP.

Win VIP Tickets toThe All-American Rejects at The Tabernacle, November 22

We have a pair of awesome VIP tickets to give away for The All-American Rejects show at The Tabernacle on November 22. The show is part of the (RED)NIGHTS concert series, which is organized by Bono's (RED) campaign. Portions of the proceeds from the shows go to the Global Fund to help fight HIV/AIDS in Africa.

The lucky winners will have the chance to meet the band and get pictures taken. For your chance to win simply email us at win@ticketalternative.com with "AllAmericanRejects" in the subject. Entrants have to be 18+, live locally and must bring a valid ID or photocopy.

Win Tickets for The Pink Party, with Fantasia, Eva Pigford and More! October 10 at the Georgia World Congress Center

We have a pair of tickets to give away for the wonderful Pink Party event, coming up this weekend at the World Congress Center. There will be special performances by Fantasia, Day 26, William Murphy and more! Email us at win@ticketalternative.com for your chance to win. Or, if you fancy, buy your tickets at Ticket Alternative.